33 Pics Showing How Dangerous Playgrounds Were In The Past

Article created by: Eglė Bliabaitė

We now live in a world where the physical and emotional safety of a person is a top priority. It’s a far cry from previous generations, when toughing it out was pretty much the norm.

Take these photos of playgrounds from decades ago, for example. As you can see, these were designed without the child’s well-being in mind. It just goes to show that kids back then were built differently, as they constantly lived on the edge.

If you’re someone who grew up during these times, this list will likely bring a flood of memories. And if you’re a youngster of today, these images may shock you.

#1 Kid’s Playground In Montreal, 1950s

Image credits: DiosMioMan2

#2 Jungle Gyms Were Designed Without Safety Nets. Climbing Structures Were Built High, With No Regard For The Hard Ground Below

Image credits: LangeAlexandra

#3 The Old Spinning Merry-Go-Rounds Were Both Exhilarating And Terrifying. Those Who Lost Their Grip Were Flung Off Like Human Projectiles, While Others Staggered Away Nauseous

Image credits: MooseMalloy

#4 Corkscrew Slides Made Entirely Of Metal, They Could Heat Up To Unbearable Temperatures Under The Sun, Leaving Riders With Seared Skin

Image credits: rarehistoricalphotos

#5 Kids Playground In Mexico City, 1960s

Image credits: DonZenova

#6 My Grade School’s Playground In The 70s

We had this insane jungle gym that we called “the bars”. A big fountain and a little creek that ran through the park under the bars and into a brick lined pond. It was the best playground ever. Bar tag was the top activity. There were spots you could make a leap of faith to avoid getting tagged. Knocked the wind out of myself several times when I missed the grab.

Image credits: snugglebandit

#7 Slide In Holland, 1972

Image credits: tehmagik

#8 Gravity Was As Unforgiving Then As It Is Today. A Simple Misstep Could Lead To An Abrupt Drop, Often Resulting In Cuts, Bruises, Or Even A Trip To The ER

Image credits: unl0veable

#9 Modernist Playground, 1971

Image credits: V391Pegasi

#10 Metal Slides In The 1970s Offered A Thrilling, High-Speed, But Under The Blazing Summer Sun, They Turned Into Searing Hot Surfaces

Image credits: unl0veable

#11 This Playground Was Located Just South Of Kepner Hall. Playgrounds Were An Innovation In Education In The Early 20th Century

Image credits: University of Northern Colorado

#12 Playground In 1924 May

Image credits: Harris & Ewing

#13 Monash Playground In The Early 1980s

Image credits: DennisMF

#14 Hiawatha Playfield, 1912

Steep ladders were very common. One overconfident move or a moment of hesitation could send a child tumbling backward.

Image credits: Seattle Municipal Archives

#15 Armstrong Academy, Oklahoma – Homemade Playground Apparatus. 1912

Image credits: Department of the Interior. Office of Indian Affairs. Haskell Institute

#16 My Young Family Visited The Monash Playground In The Early 1980’s

Image credits: DennisMF

#17 Zurich, Playground Aussersihl, “Rope Circus” 1978

Image credits: Walter Schmid

#18 The First (Somewhat Dangerous) Playground Slide In Britain (1922)

Image credits: pixeldustnz

#19 Play Structure, Photographed At Earth Rebirth Day Rally, Berkeley, California, 1970

Image credits: Hartmut Schmidt Heidelberg

#20 Columbus Ave Playground. Boys Exercising

Image credits: Boston Public Library

#21 Outdoor Gymnasium And Playground, Chicago, Il (1903)

Image credits: talude

#22 Teeter-Totters Were Trust Exercises. If One Child Decided To Jump Off, The Other Would Come Crashing Down With Enough Force To Leave Them Bruised

Image credits: edbobgreen

#23 Summer – On A Children’s City Playground 1926

Image credits: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington

#24 Playground At Blågårds Plads, 1953

Image credits: The Royal Library: The National Library of Denmark and Copenhagen University Library

#25 N.Y. Playground 1910

Image credits: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington

#26 A Home Made Ferris Wheel. Erected On The American Red Cross Playground At Elbasan. 1920

The picture shows American Nurses who took a trip to prove its safety to the children. The children in Albania never knew how to play or work either until the Red Cross came.

Image credits: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington